Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

1) Please introduce yourself. My name is Yeo Shanwen Charleen, and I am 34 years old. 2) Where is your working place back in your country and what is your specialty? I am a Consultant in the Department of Upper Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Surgery at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. 3) How did you get to know Severance? Why did you choose Severance as your training hospital? I came to Severance Hospital to further advance my training in minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal surgery, focusing on both laparoscopic and robotic techniques. Severance is globally recognized for its high-volume gastrectomy program and expertise in robotic and laparoscopic surgery. The department's leadership in landmark KLASS trials and its numerous high-impact publications in gastric cancer surgery made it the ideal place for my fellowship. 4) How long is your training period in Korea? My training period at Severance Hospital is 7 months. 5) Which area did you focus on during your fellowship at Severance? I trained in advanced minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal surgery under the mentorship of Professor Kim Yoo Min, with exposure to both laparoscopic and robotic procedures 6) What is the most impressive feature of Severance Hospital? The scale and sophistication of Severance Hospital were immediately striking—an expansive campus equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as robotic platforms and a heavy ion therapy center. However, what truly left a lasting impression was the people. The warmth, collegiality, and professionalism of my professors, colleagues, nurses, and operating theater staff deeply inspired me. Their dedication to patient care has set a high standard that I hope to emulate. 7) What are the specific contents of your fellowship program at Severance? My training focuses on advanced minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal surgery, with hands-on experience in both laparoscopic and robotic techniques. 8) If you were to get the chance to come back, which field of clinical study would you like to focus on? If I had the chance, I would gladly extend my fellowship or return for further training. The professors at Severance have achieved an extraordinary level of technical skill, making every operation a masterclass. The high surgical volume and abundant hands-on opportunities have also provided me with a wealth of surgical knowledge and experience that is unparalleled. The vibrant research environment—along with access to international conferences like KSERS and KINGCA—have also been invaluable for both my clinical and academic growth, and provided me with numerous networking opportunities. 9) Who are you most thankful for at Severance(who helped you the most) & why? I am grateful to all the professors and my colleagues here in the upper gastrointestinal surgery department of Severance Hospital, especially Professor Kim Yoo Min and Professor Hyung Woo Jin, who accepted my application as an international fellow in their department. Professor Kim Yoo Min has been an exceptional mentor, generously sharing her expertise and guiding me through the nuances of surgical technique. I am also grateful to the dedicated nurses and physician assistants from the upper gastrointestinal team, who have supported me throughout my time in the operating theater. 10) What was your first impression of Korea? Korea has always been one of my favorite destinations. I love the delicious food, rich culture, and warmth of the people. Learning Hangeul with the help of tutors and friends gave me deeper insight into Korean life. From a medical standpoint, the technology here—from robotic systems to 3D navigation and the heavy ion therapy center—highlights Severance as a world-class hospital. 11)What is the best memory so far during your stay here? I have had many wonderful experiences so far during my stay in Korea. The friendships I have made with fellow international trainees and the mentorship that I have received from Severance’s surgical faculty are experiences I will always treasure. My only regret is not being able to stay longer to continue learning and growing in this incredible environment.

1) Please introduce yourself. My name is Dr. Imad Uddin, I am 38 years old. I am married and my family is currently residing in Pakistan. 2) Where is your working place back in your country and what is your specialty? I was Interventional Cardiology Fellow at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. 3) How did you get to know Severance? Why did you choose Severance as your training hospital? I came to Severance Hospital to pursue advanced training in complex coronary and structural heart interventions, as it is one of the leading cardiovascular centers in the world. I was deeply impressed by the hospital’s excellence in patient care, research, and innovation. 4) How long is your training period in Korea? My training period at Severance Hospital is 6 months, from 1st March to 31 August 2025. 5) Which area did you focus on during your fellowship at Severance? I am currently observing structural heart interventions including TAVR, MitraClip, and ASD/PFO closures. and assisting in peripheral interventions. I am also learning advanced coronary techniques involving IVUS and OCT, Rotablation and Intravascular Lithotripsy. My advisor/Supervisor is Prof. Chul-Min Ahn, whose kindness, mentorship, and support have made this experience especially meaningful. 6) What is the most impressive feature of Severance Hospital? What impressed me the most is the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology with compassionate patient care. The level of precision, professionalism, and collaboration among the team members is truly world-class. 7) What are the specific contents of your fellowship program at Severance? I am involved in structural and complex coronary procedures, gaining exposure to advanced imaging modalities, state-of-the-art cath lab practices, and evidence-based decision-making. 8) If you were to get the chance to come back, which field of clinical study would you like to focus on? I would love to return to further enhance my skills, particularly in structural heart interventions to become an independent operator and participate in collaborative research projects 9) Who are you most thankful for at Severance(who helped you the most) & why? I am grateful to the entire interventional cardiology team at Severance Hospital for their constant support and generosity in teaching. I am especially thankful to Prof. Chun Min Ahn (my supervisor), Prof. Young-Guk Ku, and Prof. Jung-Sun Kim for their guidance, encouragement, and the valuable opportunities they have provided during my training. Their kindness, willingness to teach, and encouragement have made this experience truly enriching. 10) What was your first impression of Korea? South Korea is a naturally beautiful and technologically advanced country. I am truly inspired by the kindness, discipline, hardworking nature, and the deeply civilized culture of its people. It has been a privilege to experience life in such a welcoming and progressive society. 11)What is the best memory so far during your stay here? The best experience has been witnessing cutting-edge procedures and being part of such a vibrant academic environment. My only regret is that six months feels too short—I wish I had more time to learn even more.

Completion Ceremony Held for Pre-Education Program for International Medical Trainees The Yonsei Institute for Global Health recently held a completion ceremony for the Severance International Fellowship – Prime Course (SIF-PC), a pre-education program designed for international medical trainees, at the faculty meeting room. This session of the program welcomed 15 participants—nearly a fourfold increase compared to the four trainees who joined in the latter half of last year. Launched in March 2020, SIF-PC provides incoming international medical fellows at Severance Hospital with essential knowledge on Korean culture, the healthcare system, an introduction to the Yonsei University Health System, and clinical research and statistics. The program also qualifies participants to apply for permission to engage in "hands-on medical practice" in Korea. Typically, international physicians who train in Korea do not possess a Korean medical license and therefore participate only in observational fellowships. However, those who complete SIF-PC and go on to undertake a two-month clinical fellowship are eligible to apply for hands-on medical practice status with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. SIF-PC is the first and only pre-education program in Korea independently developed and implemented by a private medical institution for international physicians. Until now, the opportunity to apply for limited medical practice was available only to physicians from certain Middle Eastern countries under agreements with the Ministry of Health and Welfare. With the launch of SIF-PC, international physicians from a wider range of countries now have the opportunity to pursue hands-on training in Korea. “As Korean medicine continues to gain global recognition, we aim to develop SIF-PC into a flagship program that introduces the excellence of Korean healthcare to the world,” said Dr. Yong-Beom Park, Director of the Yonsei Institute for Global Health. The growing success of SIF-PC reflects both the international appeal of Korean medical expertise and the efforts of Yonsei University Health System to foster global medical collaboration and training.